Collapsible holder for books and other articles



Aug. 27, 1935.

F H. STEEN GOLLAPSIBLE HOLDER FOR BOOKS. AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed ua'rch 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 27, 1935.- 2,012,551

COLLAPSIBLE HOLDER FOR BOOKS AND OTHER ARTICLES F. H. STEEN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1934 l? teniedlag -zv, 1935 --....z.uz.5 Y

umrgp straies OFFICE.

COLLAPSIBI6 This invention relates to collapsible or foldable E HOLDER FOB Books AND rrnnn ARTICLES Frederick H. Steen, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application March 5, 1934, Serial No. 714,183

12 Claims.

holders, specially for holding books inposition for reading, but adapted also to a variety of analogous uses.

The general object of themvention is to supply a book holder of simple construction, light in weight, capable of being manufactured at low cost, which can be foldedinto small compass, is easily and quickly set up for use, is capable of holding books of widely different dimensions-leng-th, width and thickness-affords effective support to the book, thereby leaving the readers hands free, and is provided with adjustable and collapsible non-metallic pageholders.

Other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following description of several embodiments thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,

in WhiCh- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred em: bodiment of the book rest set up for use;

Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof in a folded state;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view (partly diagrammatic) in vertical section on a smaller scale of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of a different embodiment thereof;

dition';

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device,-which is here shown as partly raised; and

Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section of still another embodiment.

In all the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings the holder proper comprises five leaves or panels, ill (or (0), ll, l2,

l3 and Il,

which preferably are all of the same length, but of varying widths, each leaf being attached to that or those adjacent thereto by a flexible joint, so that the series of leaves can be folded, when not in use, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, or be set up for use as shown in the other figures.

As will be seen, several of the embodiments are capable of being made of a single piece of paper board or other material, creased transversely for folding, the creases being at the proper distances apart to form the several leaves or panels.

The base panel 10 (or ID) is the widest of the series. It occupies in use a horizontal position,

a table or other support. Next to I l, which performs the function of a prop to the holder proper, which isformed by leaves l2, l3. Leaf I2 is comparatively narrow and is inclined, when the holder is set up, at a small angle from the horizontal, forming a ledge or shelf upon which rests the 5 lower edge of the book. Leaf I3, which forms approximately a right angle with the shelf or ledge l2, constitutes a rest for the back of the opened book. Panel, ll extends downwardly and rearwardly from the top of leaf or panel (3 and '10 serves the function of a'rear prop for the book rest. 1

The holder must, of course, be provided with means for maintaining leaves ll, [2, l3 and I4 in their proper angular positions when the holder is set up. For this purpose stops or shoulder pieces l5 may be attached to base board In, one

at each corner of the rear end thereof (Fig. 4) These shoulder pieces serve as abutments for the lower edge of panel l4. If the leaves or panels are made of paper board, stops l5 may be of the same material and may be attached to base ill by a suitable adhesive substance.

Base l0 also has similar means for engaging the angle formed by the meeting edges of leaves l2, l3, which constitute the holder propensaid means consisting of several pairs of strips I6, N (Fig. 4) one pair near each side of the panel, said strips being spaced a slight distance apart .to form between them a groove or niche in which the angle formed by leaves l2, (3 can engage and be held.

Fig.2 shows the positions occupied by the several leaves or panels when folded. In setting up the device shown in Fig. 4, the free edge of leaf I4 is first set in position against the stops or shoulders I5 on base In. Then by raising the panels ll, (2, the angle formed by the meeting edges of l2, l3 moves forward on the surface of III until said angleengages in the groove formed between stops l6 and H. The deviceis now fully set up and ready for use. The form, size and relative positions of leaves (2, 13 are such as to provide a proper support for a book by reason of the fact that ledge l2, upon which the weight of the book mainly rests, is of substantial width and is approximately at right angles with the back supporting leaf l3.

Ledge l2 is provided with two adjustable and collapsible non-metallic page holders, one for each exposed page of an open book. These page holders, which are a special feature of this inven-' tion, will be described below.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and, 3 is preferred to that of Fig. 4, for the reason, among others, that in the former 5 the'stopsli, i6 and I! are dispensed with and the cost'of the hand work required for attaching them to base board it is consequently saved.

The means shown in these-figures for setting up the holder and maintaining it in position for use are different from those shown in Fig. 4. A strip or tongue 30 is cut out of the central part of base board ID by making two parallel slits 3i, 32 and a transverse slit 33 therein. Tongue 30 can therefore be bent upwardly, as shown in Fig 3, being thus in effect hinged at 35 to the base i0.

Tongue 30 is bent transversely near its 'free end and parallel therewith so as to form a narrow flap 38 by which the tongue is attached to rear panel I 4, as by means of an .ordinary brass fastener-31. Tongue 30 is thus attached at one end to base board i0 and at the other to the rear supporting panel or prop i4, in such manner that it forms a link in the mechanism for setting up the holder and serves also for maintaining it in position for use, as hereafter described. To enable it to perform these functions, tongue 30 is hinged to the rear supportingmember or prop i4 at a point intermediate. its upper and lower edges, the precise location being determined ac-' cording to the angle at which the-back supporter I3 is intended to be inclined when the holder is in use. Tongue 30 then serves as a brace for the entire device. While tongue 30 is preferably hinged to base I0, it need notbe rigidly attached thereto. 1

When folded the several panels or leaves occupy the respective positions shown in Fig. 2,.

leaf l4 being folded under l3 and tongue 30 lying between them. The parts being in this position it is apparent that, if panel l2 be drawn forward (to the right in Figs. 1-3) as by placing a forefinger in each notch 39 and the thumbs against the fold formed by the meeting edges of panels l0, ii, panels ii and i2 will be raised at their meeting edges until they occupy the posi-' tions shown in Fig. 1. This movement, of course, draws panel i3 also to the right, which movement, being communicated to panel i4, causes it to rotate on the hinge axis 30l, so that its lower edge slides to the left along base i0, thereby elevating panel l3 until the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 1. The described movement is not gradual, but once it begins is practically instantaneousa snap-up action, for the pressure applied by the user's forefingers and thumbs must reach a certain point before there is any noticeable effect. When, however, the inertia of the parts is overcome and the movement thereof begins, they snap at once into position for use. The movement comprises that of a quadrilateral linkage, tongue 30 constituting one of the links. In this movement, panel i2 is not only pulled forward but is simultaneously pressed downward at its rear edge, where it joins panel i3, and thereby panels i 3 and I 4 are spread apart as by a simple lever action, with edge 3M as the fulcrum, the. force being theoretically applied at edge I30. Thus, in effecting the snap-action set up, two movements take place simultaneously, a

quadrilateral linkage movement and a simple lever action.

To insure smoothness of operation it is adrow slot 302 lengthwise thereof and midway "between its two sides, in which slides a pin 303 which passes through and is fixed to panel 13w Pin 303' may be an ordinary brass fastener.

It is obvious that the force for effecting the described snap-up action may be applied otherwise than by a. pull upon member i2, as for example, by a push applied to member i4 between the hinge axis 30i and the sliding end.

It is deemed to be an important feature of the invention that the construction, as thus far described, admits of the use of non-metallic holdem for the leaves of a book, so constructed as to be collapsible, to be adjustable to books of widely different thicknesses, and to be capable of holding the pages firmly while permitting them to be turned without injury to the page and without moving the page-holders.

The page-holders consist each of a strip of 1 suitable non-metallic material, such as cardboard, which may be the same material as that of which the holder itself is made. Each page holder consists essentially of two panels 2i and 22-, joined flexibly together at their meeting edges. The hinge joint 20 may be formed by simply creasing the cardboard strip on the line of the desired fold. As shown, the strip is folded under at each edge and the page-holder is attached slidingly to ledge member i2, as by a pin and slot connection, such that the holder can be adjusted outwardly so far as to extend a substantial distance beyond the edge of ledge i 2, thus accommodating books of maximum thickness.

This slot and pin connection may be conveniently formed by brass fasteners 23, 24, which engage slidingly in a slot 25 in ledge I2 (Fig. 3). Pin 23 passes through both plies of the folded edge of the strip, while pin 24 passes through the lower ply only. 3

To adjust the page holder for use it is only necessary to slide it towards member I3 until its adjacent edge makes contact therewith, after which a further slight pressure causes the meeting edges of panels 2i, 22 to rise-so as to form a 4 ridge, as shown. It is found that these ridges make efllcient page holders, which do not injure the paper, while they permit the leaves of the book to be turned without moving the page holder. The latter may be collapsed or flattened by. 4 simply pressing upon the apex of the angle formed by panels 20, 2|.

These page holders prevent the book from sliding forward, which is a common tendency with books of unusual length. Moreover, they 5 serve, because of their width, to flatten the page surface, which is a very desirable condition to maintain as it facilitates reading. By reason of the described construction, the main pressure on the book is not confined to the lower edge of the 5 back and the binding, but is well distributed over the wholeback and over the leaves of the book by the pressure of the page holders. This is of special advantage with books of extra length.

For certain uses to which the invention is 6 adapted it is desirable to provide the holder with a cover, thus making it a box or case. In such embodiments of the invention, the movement of the cover in the act of opening or closing may be utilized to supply the force required for effecting 6 the set up or the collapse of the holder.

For example, in Figs. 5 and 6 the invention is shown as embodied in a vanity toilet case, such as are now in common use. As shown in those figures the several parts of the holder proper are 7 structurally the same as the corresponding parts in Figs. 1-3. The page holders are, of course, omitted, and panel i3 is used as a support for a mirror 4|. Panels ii and i2 carry each a receptacle 42 and 43, for cosmetics or the like.

Base board III, which is of greater thickness than in the embodiments previously described, has sockets M, 45 for receiving said receptacles when the box is closed. The mirror ll could obviously be attached to panel I.

Cover 46 is shown in full linesdn Fig. 5 in the position it occupies when, in the act of closing, it has just come into contact with the angle I30 formed by the meeting edges of panels l3 and I4. The'pressure of the cover on said angle in the further closing movement of said cover. effects the collapse or folding of the holder, as shown in Fig. 6. Conversely, if the means for applying force to the snap-up means are left exposed, the setting up of the device will automatically open the cover.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the opening of the cover performs no function in the set up of the holder, but it can be made to effect an automatic set up by the means illustrated in Fig. 8, as presently explained.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the holder comprises a series of leaves or panels |0'-l4, attached edge to edge, as in Fig. 1, and'also an additional part which is movable with respect to said series of panels. Said movable part comprises a flat strip 50 to which is attached by a hinge joint a tongue 30', like that similarly designated in other figures; said tongue being hinged as before to panel I! at a point intermediate the top and bottom edges of said panel. Strip '50 is arranged a to slide lengthwise on base ill in'slots formed in the lower edge of panel l2 and in the lower edge of panel ll respectively. By sliding strip 50 in one direction or the other the holder is set up or collapsed as the case may be.

In Fig. 8, which is partly diagrammatical, is illustrated a simple means wherebY, in a holder having a cover, the movement of the cover in the act of opening the box or case, automatically sets up the holder. Except in respect to said set-up means, the parts illustrated in this figure are the same as in other figures. A cord 41 is attached at one end to panel I! at a point near the lower edge thereof and preferably close to one side of the holder. Cord 41 runs through an eye or staple 48 at the front of the box and thence backward, being attached at its rear end to the box cover 46 at a suitable distance above its hinged end. As is apparent upon an inspection of the drawings, the movement of the cover in the act of opening it to its full extent, pulls forward the lower edge of panel 12, as is effected by manual action in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3, thus setting up the holder by the snapup action there described. I

The described invention may be applied to various uses other than those specified above, such for example as photo easels, traveling cases for watches or clocks convertible into stands or holders and stands or holders for displaying articles of merchandise of many different sorts.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application for improvement in book rests, Serial No. 640,310, filed October 29, 1932,.

What is claimed is:--

1. A collapsible holder for books or other articles comprising a series of panels joinededge to edge by hinge joints so as to be collapsible to occupy approximately parallel positions when not in use and to be set up for use in positions angular to each other, and set-up means comprising a link hinged to one of said panels, about an axis intermediate two opposite sides of said hinged panel.

2. A collapsible holder, as specified in claim 1, wherein the panel at one end of the series serves as a base board, and wherein the link forming an element of the set-up means is hinged to the panel at the other end of said series.

3. A collapsible holder comprising a series of panels joined edge to edge by hinge joints and means for setting up said holder by a single movement which causes the several panels simultaneously to assume positions angular to each other, said means comprising a link member, pivotally attached to one of said panels intermediate its ends, so that force applied thereto effects the set up of said holder by a quadrilateral linkage movement.

4. A collapsible holder comprising a series of members hinged together edge to edge, and means for setting up said holder by a snap-up action, said means comprising a link hinged to one of said members about an axis intermediate two opposite sides thereof and cooperating therewith to set up said holder by a quadrilateral linkage movement when force is applied to said link.

5. A collapsible holder comprising a shelf mem- I and against which the covers of an open book may lean when it rests on said shelf member; a page holder carried by said shelf member, said page holder comprising panels flexibly joined together, forming when in use an angular ridge and lying in approximately the same plane when the book holder is collapsed; and foldable supports for said shelf member and said panel respectively.

6. A collapsible holder comprising a shelf member upon which the lower edge of an open book may rest; a panel hinged to said shelf member so as to be inclined at an angle thereto when in use and against which the covers of an open book may lean when it rests on said shelf member; a page holder carried by said shelf member, said page holder comprising panels of non-rigid material flexibly joined together, forming when in use an angular ridge and lying in approximately the same plane when the book rest is collapsed; and foldable supports for said shelf member and said panel respectively.

7. A collapsibleholder comprising a. shelf member upon which the lower edge of an open book may rest; a panel hinged to said shelf member so as to be inclined at an angle thereto when in use and against which the covers of an open book for said shelf member and said panel respectively.

8. A collapsible holder comprising a series'of panels of non-rigid material foldably joined edge to edge thereby forming when extended a continuous strip capable of being folded compactly when not in use; means for holding said panels in relatively flxed positions such that one panel forms a shelf uponwhich the lower edge of an open book may rest and an adjacent panel serves as a support against which the back and covers of a book may lean when it rests on said shelf; and a. foldable page holder also formed of hinged panels of non-rigid material carried by said shelf.

"9. In a collapsible holder comprising panels of non-rigid material foldably united edge to edge, one of which constitutes a shelf member for the lower edge of an opened book, the combination with said shelf member of a page holder slidably mounted thereon'and comprising two panels foldably united edge to edge forming when in use a ridge-shaped projection.

10. A collapsible holder as specified in claim 1, wherein the hinged panel serves as a supporting 10 prop when the holder is set up.

11. A collapsible holder as specified in claim 1, 

